Sainshand Open 2023

The Soyombo Complex in Sainshand, Dornogovi Province, Mongolia, buzzed with focused energy as timers flickered to life and plastic mechanisms spun at blistering speeds. Solvers gathered across rows of competition tables, warming their fingers and sizing up their scrambles in the southern reaches of the Gobi. The one-day gathering on November 18, 2023, brought together 81 competitors contesting 7 events across 11 rounds, creating a packed schedule of speedcubing action in Dornogovi.

When the final rounds concluded, competitors representing Mongolia had accomplished an extraordinary sweep, capturing every single one of the 21 podium places available across the tournament. From traditional Rubik's Cube categories to side disciplines, the host nation monopolized the medal ranks from top to bottom. Leading the charge was Orgil Otgonbayar, who claimed two individual titles and took three podium positions overall during a remarkably productive Saturday program at the cubing competition.

Orgil Otgonbayar delivered a commanding performance in the premier 3x3x3 Cube event, topping a 65-competitor field through three rounds to seal the title with an 8.33-second final average and a 7.30 single. Temuulen Tserendagva took the silver step with an 8.94 average, while Khuslen Narmandakh captured third place averaging 9.07. The 3x3 results capped a day of intense classic solving, cementing Otgonbayar's status as a top performer at the WCA competition.

The 2x2x2 Cube event produced the most electric record moments of Sainshand Open 2023, drawing 72 entrants across two fast rounds. Temuulen Tserendagva stormed to victory with a winning final average of 2.58 seconds and a best single of 1.61, but his biggest mark came through two new Mongolian national records. Tserendagva set the national record single at 1.19 seconds alongside a blistering national record average of 1.94 seconds. Orgil Otgonbayar secured second on the podium with a 3.12 average, while Amarsanaa Enkhbaatar took third with 3.61.

Beyond the podium highlights, deep progress defined the day for competitors chasing major personal breakthroughs. Chinguun Munkhbat tackled six different disciplines, highlighted by an eighth-place finish in 2x2x2 Cube, a Clock personal best of 11.20 that improved by 13.1 percent, and a Pyraminx personal best of 2.35 seconds that cut 61 percent off his prior mark. Ninjin Budzaya took on three events, earning a fourth-place finish in Pyraminx and trimming her 2x2x2 Cube mark by 51.5 percent to 7.28. Manduul Bayaraa contested three events and dropped his 2x2x2 Cube personal record by 56.1 percent down to 6.18 seconds, while Khangai Bilguun improved his 2x2x2 Cube time by 50.7 percent to 7.64 and shaved 24.7 percent off his Pyraminx mark with a 15.97 result.

For several participants, the meet provided an ideal stage to debut in brand new formats and start their speed cubing journeys. Enkh-Enerel Bayarsaikhan took on four events, finishing 16th in Skewb during a debut attempt of 23.65 while improving his Pyraminx personal best by 48.1 percent to 13.94. Itgelt-Ochir Dulguun logged his first attempts in Pyraminx with 35.77 and 2x2x2 Cube with 30.83, while cutting his 3x3x3 Cube best by 45.8 percent to 1:27.38. First-time WCA entrants also made immediate impressions: Oyutsetsen Sundii opened her competition career across three puzzles with a 6.34 on 2x2x2 Cube, 12.20 on Pyraminx, and 27.39 on 3x3x3 Cube, while Zanabadar Ganbat completed debuts in 2x2x2 Cube at 27.19, Pyraminx at 21.24, and 3x3x3 Cube at 56.62.

Big cubes and side puzzles kept the tempo lively throughout the venue. Orgil Otgonbayar earned his second championship of the day in 4x4x4 Cube, winning with an average of 35.53 seconds ahead of Esukhei Bat-Erdene at 38.31 and Myagmardorj Ulziijargal at 38.52. In the 12-sided Megaminx, Bilguuntamir Soronzontugs triumphed with a 56.79 winning average, outpacing Dulguun Altankhonkh who finished in 1:02.95 and Esukhei Bat-Erdene who recorded 1:07.34.

The remaining puzzle categories rounded out the dominant home sweep. Ariunsaikhan Erdenebileg captured Clock with a 7.41-second average to edge Radnaa Zoljargal at 7.63, while Renchinnorov Burenzevseg took first in Pyraminx averaging 3.35 seconds to hold off Amarsanaa Enkhbaatar at 3.46. In Skewb, Erkhemkhishig Batmunkh and Uuganbayar Bayalagnasan both finished with matching 4.72 averages, with Batmunkh taking the victory. With all trophies staying in Mongolia and national marks rewritten, Sainshand Open 2023 delivered a memorable showcase of domestic talent as solvers look ahead to the next competitive season.